Details: Category: Criminal Procedure

RULE 123 - PROCEDURE IN THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS

Section 1. Uniform Procedure. – The procedure to be observed in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall be the same as in the Regional Trial Courts, except where a particular provision applies only to either of said courts and in criminal cases governed by the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure.

WHAT IS SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

 Procedure wherein the court decides the case through the evidence and affidavits presented by the parties

RESOLUTION OF THE COURT EN BANC DATED OCTOBER 15, 1991 PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED RULE ON SUMMARY PROCEDURE FOR METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL   TRIAL COURTS AND   MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS.

I. Applicability

Section 1. Scope. — This rule shall govern the summary procedure in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, the Municipal Trial Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
the following cases falling within their jurisdiction:

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B. Criminal Cases:

(1) Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations;

(2) Violations of the rental law;

(3) Violations of municipal or city ordinances;

(4)    All other criminal cases where the penalty prescribed by law for the offense charged is imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding (P1,000.00), or both, irrespective of other imposable penalties, accessory or otherwise, or of the civil liability arising therefrom: Provided, however, that in offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence, this Rule shall
govern where the imposable fine does not exceed ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).

This Rule shall not apply to a civil case where the plaintiffs cause of action is pleaded in the same complaint with another cause of action subject to the ordinary procedure; nor to a criminal case
where the offense   charged is necessarily   related to another criminal case subject to the ordinary procedure.

Sec. 2. Determination of applicability. — Upon the filing of a civil or criminal action, the court shall issue an order declaring whether or not the case shall be governed by this Rule. A patently erroneous
determination to avoid the application of the Rule on Summary Procedure is a ground for disciplinary action.

WHAT ARE THE CRIMINAL CASES FALLING UNDER THE RULES OF SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

1.    Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations
2.    Violations of the rental law
3.    Violations of municipal or city ordinances
4.    All other criminal cases where the penalty prescribed by law for the offense charged is imprisonment not exceeding six months, or
a fine not exceeding (P1,000.00), or both, irrespective of other imposable penalties, accessory or otherwise, or of the civil liability arising therefrom: Provided, however, that in offenses involving
damage to property through criminal negligence, this Rule shall govern where the imposable fine does not exceed ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).

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III. Criminal Cases

Sec.    11.    How commenced. — The filing of criminal cases falling within the scope of this Rule shall be either by complaint or by information: Provided, however, that in Metropolitan Manila and in
Chartered   Cities,   such   cases   shall   be   commenced   only   by information, except when the offense cannot be prosecuted de oficio.

The   complaint   or   information   shall   be   accompanied   by   the affidavits of the compliant and of his witnesses in such number of copies as there are accused plus two (2) copies for the court's files.
If this requirement is not complied with within five (5) days from date of filing, the case may be dismissed.

HOW IS A CRIMINAL CASE COMMENCED IN A SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

 The filing of criminal cases falling within the scope of this Rule shall be either by complaint or by information: Provided, however, that in Metropolitan Manila and in Chartered Cities, such cases shall be commenced only by information, except when the offense cannot be prosecuted de oficio.

 The complaint or information shall be accompanied by the affidavits of the compliant and of his witnesses in such number of copies as there are accused plus two (2) copies for the court's files. If this requirement is not complied with within five (5) days from date of filing, the case may be dismissed

Sec. 12. Duty of court. —

(a) If commenced by compliant. — On the basis of the compliant and the affidavits and other evidence accompanying the same, the court may dismiss the case outright for being patently without
basis or merit and order the release of the accused if in custody.

(b) If commenced by information. — When the case is commenced by information, or is not dismissed pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, the court shall issue an order which, together with
copies of the affidavits and other evidence submitted by the prosecution, shall require the accused to submit his counter-affidavit and the affidavits of his witnesses as well as any evidence
in his behalf, serving copies thereof on the complainant or prosecutor not later than ten (10) days from receipt of said order. The prosecution may file reply affidavits within ten (10) days after receipt of the counter-affidavits of the defense.

WHAT SHOULD THE MTC FIRST DO WHENEVER INFORMATION IS FILED?

 When the case is commenced by information, or isn’t dismissed, the court shall issue an order which, together with the affidavits and other evidence submitted by the prosecution, SHALL REQUIRE
THE ACCUSED TO SUBMIT HIS COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT AND THE AFFIDAVITS OF HIS WITNESSES AS WELL AS ANY EVIDENCE IN HIS BEHALF
 Copies of the above shall be served thereof to the complainant or prosecutor not later than 10 days from receipt of said order

 The prosecution may also be allowed to file reply affidavits within 10 days after receipt of the counter-affidavits of the defense

Sec. 13. Arraignment and trial. — Should the court, upon a consideration of the complaint or information and the affidavits submitted by both parties, find no cause or ground to hold the accused for trial, it shall order the dismissal of the case; otherwise, the court shall set the case for arraignment and trial.

If the accused is in custody for the crime charged, he shall be immediately arraigned and if he enters a plea of guilty, he shall forthwith be sentenced.

Sec. 14. Preliminary conference. — Before conducting the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference during which a stipulation of facts may be entered into, or the propriety of
allowing the accused to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser offense may be considered, or such other matters may be taken up to clarify the issues and to ensure a speedy disposition of the case. However, no admission by the accused shall be used against him unless reduced to writing and signed by the accused and his counsel. A refusal or failure to stipulate shall not prejudice the accused.

WHEN DOES A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE? WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE?

Before conducting the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference during which—
1.    Stipulation of facts may be entered into
2.    The propriety of allowing the accused to plead guilty to a lesser offense may be considered
3.    Other matters as may be taken up to clarify the issues and to ensure a speedy disposition of the case

Sec. 15. Procedure of trial. — At the trial, the affidavits submitted by the parties shall constitute the direct testimonies of the witnesses who executed the same. Witnesses who testified may be
subjected to cross-examination, redirect or re-cross examination. Should the affiant fail to testify, his affidavit shall not be considered as competent evidence for the party presenting the affidavit, but the adverse party may utilize the same for any admissible purpose.

Except in rebuttal or surrebuttal, no witness shall be allowed to testify unless his affidavit was previously submitted to the court in accordance with Section 12 hereof.

However, should a party desire to present additional affidavits or counter-affidavits as part of his direct evidence, he shall so manifest during the preliminary conference, stating the purpose
thereof. If allowed by the court, the additional affidavits of the prosecution or the counter-affidavits of the defense shall be submitted to the court and served on the adverse party not later than three (3) days after the termination of the preliminary conference. If the additional affidavits are presented by the prosecution, the accused may file his counter-affidavits and serve
the same on the prosecution within three (3) days from such service.

Sec. 16. Arrest of accused. — The court shall not order the arrest of the accused except for failure to appear whenever required. Release of the person arrested shall either be on bail or on
recognizance by a responsible citizen acceptable to the court.

IF AN ACCUSED IS CHARGED IN THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, CAN THE COURT ISSUE A WARRANT OF ARREST AGAINST THE ACCUSED?

 The court shall not order the arrest of the accused except for failure to appear whenever required.
 Release of the person arrested shall either be on bail or on recognizance by a responsible citizen acceptable to the court.

Sec. 17. Judgment. — Where a trial has been conducted, the court shall promulgate the judgment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial.

WHEN DOES THE COURT NEED TO PROMULGATE JUDGMENT?

 Where a trial has been conducted, the court shall promulgate the judgment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial.

IV. COMMON PROVISIONS

Sec. 18. Referral to Lupon. — Cases requiring referral to the Lupon for conciliation under the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1508 where there is no showing of compliance with such requirement, shall be dismissed without prejudice and may be revived only after such requirement shall have been complied with. This provision shall not apply to criminal cases where the accused was arrested without a warrant.

CAN THE MTC REFER THE CASE TO THE LUPON?
     Yes
     The exception is when the accused has been arrested without
warrant.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE HAS BEEN NO COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THERE SHOULD BE FIRST CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS IN THE LUPON?

     The court may dismiss the case without prejudice
     It may also revive the case only after such requirement shall have been complied with
     This provision shall not apply in criminal cases wherein the accused has been arrested lawfully without a warrant of arrest.

Sec.    19.    Prohibited pleadings and motions. — The following pleadings, motions or petitions shall not be allowed in the cases covered by this Rule:

(a) Motion to dismiss the complaint or to quash the complaint or information except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, or failure to comply with the preceding section;

(b) Motion for a bill of particulars;

(c)   Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a judgment, or for opening of trial;

(d) Petition for relief from judgment;

(e) Motion for extension of time to file pleadings, affidavits or any other paper;

(f) Memoranda;

(g)    Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition against any interlocutory order issued by the court;

(h) Motion to declare the defendant in default;

(i) Dilatory motions for postponement;

(j) Reply;

(k) Third party complaints;

(l) Interventions.

Sec. 20. Affidavits. — The affidavits required to be submitted under this Rule shall state only facts of direct personal knowledge of the affiants which are admissible in evidence, and shall show their competence to testify to the matters stated therein.

A violation of this requirement may subject the party or the counsel who submits the same to disciplinary action, and shall be cause to expunge the inadmissible affidavit or portion thereof from the record.

WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE SUBMISSION OF AFFIDAVITS IN A SUMMARY PROCEEDING?

 The affidavits required to be submitted under this Rule shall state only facts of direct personal knowledge of the affiants which are admissible in evidence, and shall show their competence to testify
to the matters stated therein.

Sec. 21. Appeal. — The judgment or final order shall be appealable to the appropriate Regional Trial Court which shall decide the same in accordance with Section 22 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129. The
decision of the Regional Trial Court in civil cases governed by this Rule, including forcible entry and unlawful detainer, shall be immediately executory, without prejudice to a further appeal that
may be taken therefrom. Section 10 of Rule 70 shall be deemed repealed.

Sec. 22. Applicability of the regular rules. — The regular procedure prescribed in the Rules of Court shall apply to the special cases herein provided for in a suppletory capacity insofar as they are not
inconsistent herewith.

PROCEDURE IN THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS; SUMMARY PROCEDURE